From Our Science Notebook: Learn and Play with 20 At-Home Static Electricity Experiments!

When you hear the words “static electricity,” you might think of that “zap!” you get from a doorknob in the winter or the crackling sound when you pull off a sweater. But static electricity is actually a familiar and fascinating force with many fun properties. For example, have you ever tried rubbing a balloon on your hair and then sticking it to the wall? This is a phenomenon where the balloon is pulled by the static force, a clear sign that an invisible electrical force is at work!

What’s more, if you use this static force in clever ways, you can do experiments like the “Human Electric Circuit,” where you make a fluorescent light bulb glow without even touching it. A light bulb that glows like magic… it’s a wonderful experience that lets you feel the flow of electricity.

Did you know that lightning is also a natural phenomenon related to static electricity? A huge amount of static charge builds up inside clouds and then discharges all at once, creating a blinding flash of light and a deafening rumble. It’s amazing to think that the small “pop” of static you experience can turn into a magnificent thunderstorm in the sky!

We’ve put together a collection of these amazing and fun static electricity experiments—over 20 of them! We hope you have a great time trying them at home.

Note: For any experiments using a static electricity generator (like a Van de Graaff generator), please make sure you are supervised by a professional. Please be careful when you try these!

Here is the article translated into English.

More Than 20 Static Electricity Experiments
A list of main tools for static electricity experiments

・Lifting paper scraps and styrofoam ⭐︎

・Stick packing material all over your body!⭐︎

・Bring a balloon close to an aluminum can⭐︎

・Experiments with a hanging balloon⭐︎

・Bringing something close to a static electricity detector (electroscope) ⭐︎

・Bringing static electricity close to water⭐︎

・Use a straw to feel positive and negative static electricity⭐︎

・Make a butterfly fly with static electricity⭐︎

・Control soap bubbles at will!⭐︎

・Write a secret code with static electricity!⭐︎

・The mechanism of a static electricity generator (Van de Graaff generator)⭐︎

・What happens when you bring your hand close to a Van de Graaff generator…⭐︎

・Stick lots of paper to a Van de Graaff generator⭐︎

・Put styrofoam on a Van de Graaff generator and turn on the switch⭐︎

・Approaching and moving away! The strange movement of an empty can⭐︎

・Static electricity bell⭐︎　How to make a static electricity bell by hand

・Static electricity motor (Moore’s motor)⭐︎

・Put on a wig and charge yourself with electricity⭐︎

・100 people shock⭐︎

・Charge an aluminum cup with static electricity.⭐︎

・Light a fluorescent lamp with static electricity⭐︎

・How to make a flavored drink with static electricity (static electricity tea/static electricity water) ⭐︎

・The electric human⭐︎

Electric certificate⭐︎

Bonus Content　Defeat static electricity! Stick a staple in your shoe　⭐︎

Bonus Content　The mechanism of static electricity and the history of the Leyden jar, Elekiter, and the “100 people shock”⭐︎

Bonus Content　Why is electricity called ‘eleki’?⭐︎

Bonus Content　Let’s look at a cathode ray⭐︎

Bonus Content　I went to the grave of Hiraga Gennai, who recreated the Elekiter⭐︎

Bonus Content　Leyden Jar and Safety⭐︎

Bonus Content　How to use a charging gun⭐︎

Would you like to have an amazing experience with static electricity experiments? (Inquiries about experiment classes, TV supervision, etc.)
In addition to holding fun static electricity experiment classes, we also supervise and appear on TV programs. If you have any questions, please contact us via the “Inquiries” page. For a list of our past science supervisions, please see here.

What is Kagaku no Netacho?
We want to convey the wonders and fun of science. We have compiled a list of science experiments you can do at home and tips for them. Please feel free to browse! For more details about our operators, please click here, and for various requests (writing, lectures, experiment classes, TV supervision, etc.), please contact us here. Updates are available on our X (Twitter) account.

The Kagaku no Neta Channel features experiment videos!